Time to start our local camping season and what better place than Lake Darling State Park near Washington, Iowa. Lake Darling is about an hour from home and has always been one of our favorites but has been closed for five or six years. First, they drained and dredged the lake and then did a lot of work on the campground and park roads. So we trundled down there on Thursday in 70 degree weather and blue skies. We had reserved our favorite spots--right on the lake, although this is one of those tiered campgrounds where every site has a great view.

There is a new bike trail that runs along the west side of the lake--a few more hills than my three-speed cares for--but very pleasant, and ends near a tree with an eagle's nest high in the branches.The riding of course required some napping after and we finished the day with a great meal, pretty sunset, and beautiful campfire. With no wind, no one had to move his or her chair once!

Friday morning began with smashed potatoes, sausage gravy, and eggs. Butch and I took a ride in the truck to try and get Internet reception--Verizon has once again failed us--but to no avail. We did pick up some park maps and after lunch we 'girls' decided to hike to the dam along the east side of the lake, a mere 2.6 miles. We discovered a couple of things. Because they raised the lake level two to three feet, much of the trail is water-logged clay and leaves. To avoid sinking to our necks in swamps, we detoured off the trail through the sticky bushes. Also, most of the signage had been removed so we were often not sure if we were on the trail or not. After more than an hour, we were across the lake from our campsites. We yelled and phoned our husbands, suggesting they pick us up at the dam. We had no desire to return the way we had come.

We continued the journey with no improvement in the footing. By the time we spotted the dam, we were ecstatic not knowing we were still some distance (mostly uphill) away. Letha phoned to tell the men we were getting close. They had already started out but were having no luck finding the road to the dam. They stopped and asked for directions (wow!) from a ranger who became concerned that we were lost. He called Letha just as we reached the path leading up to the top of the dam and assured her that they were all waiting for us.However, the gate leading to the road down to the dam from where they were parked was paddlelocked and Ranger Merrill (actually retired and just helping out) didn't have a key. So we couldn't see anybody until we had crossed the dam and started up the road. We hoped we were all talking about the same spot. The dam is an earthen levee so we weren't sure there wasn't another and it was a relief to finally see them and vehicles.

We were never lost--we could always see the water--but two hours was longer than we expected to go 2.6 miles and we were exhausted from slogging through the muck. We did see Dutchman's Britches in bloom and some beautiful backwater areas. Nevertheless, showers and our lawn chairs were very welcome. That said, the weather was the superb and the bugs few. We enjoyed the ducks and geese on the lake and ate very well. We will definitely be back but may not hike to the dam. It was an adventure worth of Frannie!

The new greenery is popping out all over, beautiful camping weekend, Reminder: the VANILLA automobile aroma hang-up ("tree shaped") is really effective for those dratted swarms of gnats. Pin to hat or button of shirt collar.